A new beginning

Shreya’s breath caught in her throat. She stared at him, her tear‑filled eyes wide, her whole body trembling. The wind from the river whipped her hair across her face, but she didn’t move.

For a heartbeat, everything was silent.

Her lips parted, and a whisper escaped her, shaky and uncertain. “W‑what… what did you just say?”

The boy froze too. He hadn’t meant to blurt it out, yet the words had already left his mouth. Inside, his heart raced like a storm, but on the outside he forced himself to stay calm. There was no turning back now. He took a small step closer, his voice low but steady.

“Yes,” he said softly. “I love you. I’ve… I’ve liked you for a long time.”

Shreya blinked at him, stunned. Her tears clung to her lashes. The ache inside her chest deepened. “You’re lying,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “You’re joking, right? You’re just saying this… so that I don’t…”

He shook his head immediately, his eyes searching hers with desperate sincerity. “No. Not at all. I’m not joking.” His voice trembled now, thick with emotion. “I really love you. I have… for a long time. Since the first time I saw you.”

Shreya’s lips quivered. Her heart pounded painfully, her mind screaming for an explanation, for something to hold on to.

“I know,” he continued quickly, his words rushing out in a flood. “I know it’s hard to believe me now, in this situation. But it’s the truth. Completely. I tried so many times to talk to you, to tell you how I felt, but I could never find the courage. I was so scared… scared you’d reject me, scared I wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

He took another step closer, his voice breaking now. “Because I love you so much. I can’t even imagine my life without you. I know it feels awkward, it feels sudden… but it’s real. Please believe me. Please… give me a chance. Please don’t do this.”

His eyes glistened as he spoke, every word trembling with raw emotion. “I can’t live without you. Please…”

Shreya stared at him through her tears, her heart torn between disbelief and the strange, fragile warmth blooming in her chest.

Shreya couldn’t think.

Everything felt hazy — the world, the sound of the river, even the air around her. His words echoed inside her mind again and again, I love you… I love you…

It felt impossible. Too sudden. Too unreal. Her heart didn’t know whether to shatter or to hope. She couldn’t fully believe him, not after everything she had been through — yet something in his voice, in the way his eyes trembled when he spoke, made her chest tighten.

Her mind was a battlefield — disbelief clashing with a fragile spark of something she hadn’t felt in a long time… hope.

Before she could say anything, he spoke again — his tone softer this time, but full of emotion.

“I know,” he said gently, stepping a little closer. “I know this is shocking for you. But you don’t have to worry, okay? I’m not asking you to believe me right now. Take your time.”

His eyes searched hers with quiet desperation. “If you can’t trust me yet, that’s fine. I understand. You can ask me anything you want — I’ll answer everything. I’ll prove it to you, in every way I can. I’ll go through every test you give me, I’ll do whatever it takes… but please…” His voice cracked, and he swallowed hard. “Please take those thoughts out of your mind. Don’t do that to yourself. I can’t watch you in pain. I can’t see you hurt yourself.”

His words trembled, his breath unsteady as he whispered, “You don’t have to like me back. You don’t have to give me a chance. Just… please, don’t end your life. Please…”

Before Shreya could react, he stepped forward and pulled her into a hug.

For a second, she froze — his warmth pressed against her cold, trembling body. The world around her blurred. No one had held her like this in years — like she mattered, like someone was terrified to lose her.

Her fingers twitched, her tears falling silently onto his shoulder. She didn’t hug him back — not yet — but she didn’t pull away either. And in that one fragile moment, something inside her — something that had been dying for so long — flickered to life again.

For a long moment, he just held her — not knowing what else to do, not knowing if she had really started to believe him or not. His heart pounded against his chest as a thousand thoughts raced through his mind.

Did she believe me? Or do I need to say more?

God, what am I even doing?

He closed his eyes, his thoughts spiraling. I just met her… and yet I can’t let her go like this. I can’t watch someone die in front of me.

He tightened his grip slightly, his mind screaming in confusion. But damn, the lies I’ve told tonight… I’ve never lied this much in my entire life.

He exhaled shakily. I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but please, God… please make her stop. Let her give up this idea, at least for now.

He lifted his head slightly, looking up at the dark sky. And God, one more thing… please don’t let her ask me any questions — because I don’t even know her name.

A faint, helpless smile tugged at his lips. I know I lied, but if a lie can save someone’s life, then maybe… it isn’t really a lie, right?

He drew in a slow breath and looked down at the girl in his arms — her face pale, eyes still glistening with tears. Gently, with all the softness he could gather in his voice, he asked,

“Are you okay…?”

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***